VWUSX vs. VUG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VWUSX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. VWUSX is actively managed, while VUG is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWUSX returned 17.82%/yr vs 17.38%/yr for VUG. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VWUSX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

VWUSX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWUSX achieves a -2.93% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 5.02% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWUSX having a 17.82% annualized return and VUG not far behind at 17.38%.

VWUSX

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: -3.71%
• 6M: -0.40%
• YTD: -2.93%
• 1Y: 2.37%
• 3Y*: 16.16%
• 5Y*: 9.19%
• 10Y*: 17.82%
• ALL TIME*: 8.69%

VUG

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: -0.35%
• 6M: 6.39%
• YTD: 5.02%
• 1Y: 15.36%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 17.38%
• ALL TIME*: 12.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	$556.11M	$661.72M	$650.91M
VWUSX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VWUSX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWUSX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares	-2.93%	15.39%	31.65%	45.17%	-39.64%	35.76%	58.63%	45.61%	0.65%	31.11%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.02%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VWUSX and VUG is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.96

The correlation between VWUSX and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWUSX vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWUSX	VUG
Technology	44.7%	56.2%
Communication Services	16.2%	15.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	11.5%
Healthcare	10.3%	4.7%
Financial Services	6.1%	3.8%
Industrials	5.2%	5.3%
Consumer Defensive	1.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.3%	1.0%
Utilities	0.5%	0.7%
Basic Materials	0.4%	0.5%
Energy	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

VWUSX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VWUSX

VWUSX Risk / Return Rank: 5
VWUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
VWUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
VWUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
VWUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
VWUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 28
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VWUSX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VWUSX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	0.72	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.16	1.10	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.13	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	0.78	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.07	2.47	-2.39

VWUSX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWUSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWUSX and VUG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VWUSX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWUSX drawdown since its inception was -73.31%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWUSX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWUSX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.31%	-50.68%	-22.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-16.53%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-22.85%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.18%	-35.61%	-6.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.18%	-35.61%	-6.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.06%	-5.53%	-2.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.77%	-7.08%	-15.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.80%	5.20%	+1.60%

Volatility

VWUSX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX) is 5.29%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 5.58%. This indicates that VWUSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWUSX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	5.58%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.35%	14.24%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	17.74%	+0.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.03%	22.49%	+4.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.72%	21.55%	+3.17%

VWUSX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWUSX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWUSX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VWUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.65%, more than VUG's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.40%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%
VWUSX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares	9.65%	9.37%	4.60%	0.28%	0.37%	30.03%	3.90%	11.66%	9.65%	4.63%	1.52%	8.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWUSX and VUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VWUSX and VUG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VWUSX or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to VWUSX (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWUSX dropped -73.31% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs 0.03), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.